Jurisdictions
Regions
Industry Sectors
Fact File
- General
- Tax
- Tax Information Exchange Agreements
- Share Capital
- Entity
- Directors
- Shareholders
- Accounts
- Legislative Update 2023/24
- Others
Fact File Supplied By
Samoa International Finance Authority
Location
South Pacific Ocean
Time zone
UTC/GMT,+13h.
Population
205,557 (as of 2021).
Capital
Apia
Airport(s)
Faleolo International Airport.
Language
English, Samoan
Currency
Samoan Tala (SAT)
Political System
Parliamentary democracy consisting of 53 members of parliament elected by citizens 21 years and over. The Constitutional Amendment Act reserves 10% of the seats for women.
International Dialing Code
+685
Legal System
Common Law, Westminster based system as is the case with Commonwealth countries.
Centre's expertise
International Business Companies (IBCs), foundations and trusts.
Personal income tax
Progressive.
Corporate income tax
27%
Exchange restrictions
None.
17 TIEAs
San Marino, Monaco, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, The Faroe Islands, Denmark, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa, Japan and Republic of Korea.
Permitted currencies
US$.
Minimum authorised capital
None.
Minimum share issue
None.
Shelf companies
Yes.
Timescale for new entities
For IBCs one day, or less than 24 hours. For other licensed entities the timescale is dependent on application and supporting documents received.
Incorporation fees
USD $300.
Annual fees
As above or as prescribed by the Registrar.
Minimum number
One.
Residency requirements
Must be non-residents and non-citizens of Samoa or as provided for under the relevant legislation.
Corporate directors
Permitted.
Meetings/ frequency
Whenever directors consider meeting necessary they can be held anywhere in the world or electronically.
Disclosure
None.
Bearer shares
Prohibited under the International Companies Act 1988.
Minimum number
None.
Public share registry
None.
Meetings/frequency
Whenever directors consider meeting necessary to be held.
Annual return
None.
Audit requirements
Every international company shall appoint a registered company auditor within 90 days of its incorporation. An auditor of an international company shall carry out an audit in respect thereof in each audit period. Every auditor shall report to the members as to his or her audit and matters disclosed thereby and shall give such further reports and information as are required by regulations made under the International Companies Act 1988.
Recent Legislation
• Tax Information Exchange Amendment Act 2017
• Stamp Duty Amendment Act 2017
• Trustee Companies Act 2017
Pending Legislation
• Miscellaneous (International Companies Tax Removal) Amendment Bill 2024 which amends the following primary laws:
o International Companies Act 1988
o International Banking Act 2005
o International Insurance Act 1988
o Special Purpose International Companies Act 2000
• Income Tax Amendment Act 2024
Registered office
Every IBC must have a registered office in Samoa.
Domicile issues
Permitted under the International Companies Act 1988 and other international financial services laws.
Company naming restrictions
Undesirable names in the opinion of the Registrar or names containing restricted words as determined by the Registrar.
